You must have a medical exemption certificate to get free NHS prescriptions. If you do not have a valid medical exemption certificate, you may be liable for a penalty charge.
Find out if you’re entitled to NHS dental treatment and other help with health cost using the NHS eligibility checker.
Check your medical exemption certificate is valid
Check that your exemption certificate is valid before claiming free NHS prescriptions.
Who is entitled
Cancer related treatments
You're entitled to a 5-year medical exemption certificate if you're undergoing any treatments for:
- cancer
- the effects of cancer
- the effects of cancer treatment
Other medical conditions
You're entitled to a 10-year medical exemption certificate if you have any of these conditions:
- a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance
- a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
- diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism
- diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
- hypoparathyroidism
- myasthenia gravis
- myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement)
- epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy
- a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person
You’re also entitled to a 10-year medical exemption certificate if you have any of these conditions and you’re undergoing any of the cancer related treatments.
If we received your application before 16 July 2026, your certificate will usually last for 5 years.
How you can apply
If you're aged 60 or over, you do not need to apply. You already get free NHS prescriptions.
If you're entitled to a certificate because of your medical condition, speak to your GP or doctor. They'll give you an application form.
You'll get a certificate in the post within 10 working days of us receiving your application.
When the certificate starts
We will backdate the certificate to start one month before the date we received your application.
If your certificate covers the date you collect your items, you can get your NHS prescriptions for free.
Mark box ‘E’ on the prescription form and sign the declaration.
You may need to show your certificate as evidence that your exemption is valid. You can still collect your NHS prescription for free if you do not have your certificate with you.
Renew a certificate
If you're aged 60 or over, you do not need to renew your certificate. You already get free NHS prescriptions.
If your certificate expires and you want to renew it, speak to your GP or doctor. You will need to apply for a new certificate.
We'll send you a reminder around one month before your current certificate expires. You must make sure your certificate is valid before you claim free NHS prescriptions.
Claiming refunds
NHS prescription charges
You may get an NHS prescription charge refund if:
- you get an NHS refund form (FP57) when you pay - you cannot get one later
- your medical exemption certificate covers the date you paid for your NHS prescription
The FP57 tells you how to claim.
You need to apply for a refund within 3 months of paying the prescription charge.
NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) fees
If you hold a valid PPC, you may be entitled to a refund. Read the Help with health costs (HC11) booklet (PDF: 449KB) for details of PPC refunds.
How to report a change in details or an error
Make sure the details on the certificate are correct and are kept up to date.
If you change your name, you’ll need a new certificate. Return the certificate to us with a copy of either your:
- marriage certificate
- civil partnership certificate
- deed poll
- passport
- decree absolute
If you change address or notice any errors on your certificate, contact us.
Lost or damaged certificates
If you lose or damage your certificate, contact us. We can send you a replacement.
